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EconTalkMay 11, 2026

Thinking Inside the Box (with David Epstein)

Summary, books mentioned, transcript quotes, and timestamps for Thinking Inside the Box (with David Epstein) on EconTalk.

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Why We Sleep Kubla Khan What If We're Wrong?+1 more

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Thinking Inside the Box (with David Epstein) mentions Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker, Kubla Khan by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, What If We're Wrong? by Chuck Klosterman, and Inside the Box, How Constraints Make Us Better with timestamps, quotes, and episode context.

Why We Sleep Kubla Khan What If We're Wrong?Inside the Box, How Constraints Make Us Better

3 books from this episode

Why We Sleep

Matthew Walker

Matthew Walker and his blockbuster, Why We Sleep, held it up as the ultimate proof that our dreaming brains loose from the bounds of reality can acco…

Kubla Khan

Samuel Taylor Coleridge

One is coleridge, although it was probably a drug-induced stupor, but we're not sure. But he supposedly heard in his head the opening lines of his ma…

What If We're Wrong?

Chuck Klosterman

In the episode we did with Chuck Closterman on his book, but what if we're wrong?

Episode summary

What do the inventor of the periodic table, the novelist Isabel Allende, and the almost-creators of the iPhone have in common? Join author David Epstein and EconTalk's Russ Roberts to explore a counterintuitive idea: that boundaries, and not unlimited freedom, often make us more creative, productive, and fulfilled.

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Why We Sleep

Matthew Walker

Matthew Walker and his blockbuster, Why We Sleep, held it up as the ultimate proof that our dreaming brains loose fro…

Card

Kubla Khan

Samuel Taylor Coleridge

One is coleridge, although it was probably a drug-induced stupor, but we're not sure. But he supposedly heard in his…

Card

What If We're Wrong?

Chuck Klosterman

In the episode we did with Chuck Closterman on his book, but what if we're wrong?

Card

Inside the Box, How Constraints Make Us Better

Our topic for today is his latest book, Inside the Box, How Constraints Make Us Better.

Card

Range

David's last appearance on the program was in May of 2019, discussing his book, Range.

Card

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Summary, books mentioned, transcript quotes, and timestamps for Thinking Inside the Box (with David Epstein) on EconTalk.

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Referenced books include Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker and Kubla Khan by Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
What do the inventor of the periodic table, the novelist Isabel Allende, and the almost-creators of the iPhone have in common? Join author David Epstein and EconTalk's R…

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Which books are mentioned in Thinking Inside the Box (with David Epstein)?

Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker, Kubla Khan by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and What If We're Wrong? by Chuck Klosterman are the clearest linked books in this episode, each tied back to transcript timestamps and quote cards.

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Books Mentioned

The full list below is ranked by how useful each mention is to a listener: stronger recommendation language, clearer quote context, and better timestamp support rise first.

Why We Sleep

Matthew Walker

“Matthew Walker and his blockbuster, Why We Sleep, held it up as the ultimate proof that our dreaming brains loose from the bounds of reality can accomplish what our waking brains can't.”

Direct Amazon listing · affiliate link

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Kubla Khan

Samuel Taylor Coleridge

“One is coleridge, although it was probably a drug-induced stupor, but we're not sure. But he supposedly heard in his head the opening lines of his masterpiece Kubla Khan.”

Amazon search results · affiliate link

Find on Amazon

What If We're Wrong?

Chuck Klosterman

“In the episode we did with Chuck Closterman on his book, but what if we're wrong?”

Amazon search results · affiliate link

Find on Amazon

Inside the Box, How Constraints Make Us Better

“Our topic for today is his latest book, Inside the Box, How Constraints Make Us Better.”

Amazon search results · affiliate link

Find on Amazon

Range

“David's last appearance on the program was in May of 2019, discussing his book, Range.”

Direct Amazon listing · affiliate link

Check price

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Why We Sleep

EconTalk · 3:20

Matthew Walker and his blockbuster, Why We Sleep, held it up as the ultimate proof that our dreaming brains loose from the bounds of reality can acco…

Kubla Khan

EconTalk · 3:39

One is coleridge, although it was probably a drug-induced stupor, but we're not sure. But he supposedly heard in his head the opening lines of his ma…

What If We're Wrong?

EconTalk · 8:13

In the episode we did with Chuck Closterman on his book, but what if we're wrong?

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